Newbie for usf, ioa, seaworld..

LilMamiBella

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 15, 2004
Messages
680
I'd like to take my family to Universal studios, Seaworld, and IOa in July '06. We;ve never beem before.
I've budgeted 2,021.80 for gas, souvenirs, food, and 4 park flex tickets for 2 adults 2 kids. I plan to rent my dvc points to get a hotel for 7 days nearby. What kid friendly hotel would you recommend? Can I buy tickets now even though I won't be using them till next year? Also, can I pay payments on the hotel like Disney World allows? Should I go with a package or travel agent? Any books do you recommend? Thanks!
 
Interesting concept, the DVC points, I had never heard about it until now.

You won't need 7 days to visit USF/IOA/SWF, unless you go really slow and take your time. Most spend a day at each park, and then a 3rd for favorites. SWF takes a day.
How old are the children?

There's a Nick hotel that's theamed. Or you stay onsite at the RPR for the FOTL, because July is the busy time of the year.

No, don't buy your tickets now, and I'm not sure if you can book the hotel this far out.
 
robvia said:
Interesting concept, the DVC points, I had never heard about it until now.

You won't need 7 days to visit USF/IOA/SWF, unless you go really slow and take your time. Most spend a day at each park, and then a 3rd for favorites. SWF takes a day.
How old are the children?

There's a Nick hotel that's theamed. Or you stay onsite at the RPR for the FOTL, because July is the busy time of the year.

No, don't buy your tickets now, and I'm not sure if you can book the hotel this far out.




My kids will be ages 4 and 7. I suppose we could go to wet n wild , cape canaveral, and the titantic exhibit if its still there. Its no way to plan in advance?
 
LilMamiBella said:
I'd like to take my family to Universal studios, Seaworld, and IOa in July '06. We;ve never beem before.
I've budgeted 2,021.80 for gas, souvenirs, food, and 4 park flex tickets for 2 adults 2 kids. I plan to rent my dvc points to get a hotel for 7 days nearby. What kid friendly hotel would you recommend? Can I buy tickets now even though I won't be using them till next year? Also, can I pay payments on the hotel like Disney World allows? Should I go with a package or travel agent? Any books do you recommend? Thanks!

I would stay onsite at Universal in July simply because it is very busy and also extremely hot and humid at that time. You don't want to be waiting in long lines, trust me. If you stay onsite you will have front of the line access. Think of it as a Disney fast pass for every ride but no time frame when you have to hit the ride. With Front of the line you go into the express line for each ride and show.


I would watch the Universal site and buy your tickets when you see the best deal. You might want to consider buying one preferred annual pass. With the AP pass you will get a 15% or more discount on food and merchandise and also free parking for the days you are at the park. You also can get an AP rate on any onsite hotels. Also you can buy up to 6 tickets and get a discount with your AP.

I wouldn't use a travel agent. Just watch the boards for any upadated good deals on travel or packages. I don't believe you can make payments on hotels. There have been some great deals with free tickets included with hotel stays, etc. also buy 4 tickets get the 5th free or some which include free child's tickets or 3 days for the price of 2 days. The good deals change quite often. When you see good deal that fits your needs, then purchase the tickets, even if it is a year in advance.

For books, I'd recommend Kelly Monaghan's book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...2/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-7324024-1406352

I would plan on at least 3 days at Universal and Islands of Adventure. 5 days would be better though with 1 day at Wet and Wild and 1 day at Sea World or Busch Gardens.

Bev
 

Do I pay one nights worth for one of the universal's hotels or do I pay the whole total up front?
 
I don't know the answer to that. You might post your question on the Universal hotel board.

Even if you just stay one night onsite though, you get 2 days of front of the line. You get one day on the day of check-in and one day for the day you check-out. So get there early and check in, even if your room isn't ready, they will store your luggage and you can head to the parks.
 
When I stayed there they only took a CC hold. They charged your card or cash when you checked out at the end of the visit. They need to have a CC when you check in even if you are planning on paying with cash.
 
I've always gotten charged one night in advance. I also think that you should stay onsite. It just makes everything so much more relaxed.
 
I would definitely stay on-site at Universal.....your room key card will get in a different line than all the park guests stand in and it gets on the rides much, much faster! Two years ago we stayed at the Portifino Bay Hotel (our daughter was 10 then) and we really liked it. This October we're staying at the Hard Rock (our daughter is 12 now....the Hard Rock is much cooler according to her!).

You'll love both Universal Parks and City Walk! We've been to Disney World before also (Contemporary Hotel), and myself, my wife and my daughter all much prefer Universal!

When we went last time we went to SeaWorld and Discovery Cove....and Wet 'n Wild. We loved them all.....especially Discovery Cove! That's a must do if you can afford it. They take VERY good care of you during your stay and we were there the entire day!

Have great time!
 
if you want to consider it.

wet n' wild website offers a week day annual pass for only 40 per person. check their website for this. It would allow for you to spend the middle of the day at the water park, and before and after at universal.

sea world offers an annual pass for slightly more than a one day pass. www.seaworld.com they have a flex pay offer for seaworld and bushgardens.

universal also offers a flex pay offer for their Preferred annual passes. If you plan on visiting more than once this year or next it might be worth considering. You only need one of these though. Then pay the 109 plus tax for the regular annual passes per person. You can upgrade them next year for the cost of renewel and 24 dollars.

One of these preferred annual passes is a must if you want to stay on-site, who wants to pay full price for a hotel room, you won't if you have an annual pass.


If you stay one night on property you get two days worth of FOTL. If you stay two you will get three and so on. Most of the time you have to book a minimum of 4 or 5 nights to get the discounts. But as time gets closer to your date of arrival the rates become more flexible.

With taxes my stay at the royal pacific costs me 160 a night including parking. We stayed for 4 nights grand total 640. well worth every penny.

First night in orlando 69. plus tax total 78 dollars
Last two nights in orlando 69 plus tax total 158
We did things that were off property , so we did not spend the money to stay on site. (free breakfast) we stayed at amerisuites on international blvd near mercado entertainment rate.

Total room costs 847 including taxes and parking.

Tickets 3 PAP for universal 15.08 per month flex pass
1 AP for universal 116. renewel

4 silver annual passes for seaworld approx 70 dollars each
we plan to visit again next year before the passes expire. that is why we only bought annual passes.


We had breakfast in the rooms,50 dollars a day for food money. 350

total 1805.18
plus car rental 145.21

total 1950.39

souvenirs 100 dollars

total 2150




the on site hotels only charge one nights room charges when you make the reservation. The rest is due at check in. If you want to pay in advance their are only two options. 1 fax a copy of your credit card front and back to the accounting department. Two ask for the address to send your prepayment via snail mail. If you send it in the mail send it with a cashiers check and photo copy the check for proof and send it registered.

If you have any questions just ask.

Kimberly
 


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